So here's an unusual sports update: I'm pretty sure the racing sausages kidnapped Bernie Brewer?

The Brewers today debuted the first chapter in a new video series called "Mascot Makeover" – brought to you by, who else, American Family Insurance – during which Bernie Brewer is just happily meandering around the empty stadium and preparing to snack on a pile of pizza and chips when the racing sausages and Barrel Man snatch up the team's most famous fan and literally throw him into the back of a van.

Something BIG is happening at American Family Field.

Watch Episode 1 of our 4-Part series to get a sneak peak of what the mascots are up to. 👀@AmFam | #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/4lZH3hUkm9 — Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 9, 2021

It even comes complete with an evil laugh from Barrel Man!

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So that seems ominous.

What's the deal? Does Bernie owe the sausages money? Are they plotting a coup, tired of playing second base to Bernie Brewer's title as the team's mascot and wanting to take over his famous slide-decorated dugout? Has the racing meat simply gone mean?

There's three more chapters to go in this epic saga, but I think I've already got a guess at what we're building to here – quite literally. It's possible we'll get a remodeled Bernie Brewer; it is called "Mascot Makeover" and this opening clip does spend a lot of time detailing Bernie's suboptimal dietary habits. What's more likely, however, is that American Family Field will have a new Bernie's Dugout – or more like a return since "Bernie's Chalet" is coming back (at least in name only) according to some photos taken from inside the newly named, soon-to-be-25%-filled stadium, revealing an AmFam-branded version of the old chalet, still unfortunately minus the mug. 

Looks like Bernie’s new chalet has an American Family Insurance logo roof.

That’s kinda gross, but am so glad to see they’re finally ditching the dugout. Now bring back the barrel and mug too! #ThisIsMyCrew @Brewers @UniWatch
(Photo from @tshea410) pic.twitter.com/g6l5qjWCd4 — The Barrelman 🍺⚾️ (@barrelman_mke) March 2, 2021

An AmFam-sponsored video series highlighting a newly AmFam-sponsored ballpark feature? Makes too much sense – especially when you add in the "building" pun at the end of the first chapter. Plus, if you're the company behind a divisive name change, I imagine a way to court goodwill with fans is bringing back a retro, if modernized, classic element. The only question is if a spiffy new Bernie Brewer will go with it. (I doubt it; how much thinner or buff do you want a mascot? You don't want to start wandering into creepy Purdue Pete territory.) 

Stay tuned to the Brewers' Twitter feed or the team's website for the additional installments – and most importantly, stay tuned for the start of baseball back on the field and in front of fans on April 1.